01. War of Words: The Fight Over Book Bans
02. Why Are We Loosening Child Labor Laws?
03. The West Needs a New Ukraine Strategy
04. ‘Buffalo Soldiers’ – Black Soldiers in American History
05. Interview the Python Huntress
06. Mike Tyson’s Mother-in-Law on Her Wrongful Conviction and More
07. She Was Diagnosed with Autism at 31
08. Why Falling College Applications Are Bad for America
09. April Is Financial Literacy Month: The Cost of Aging Parents
10. Do a Show on the Craziest Courtroom Antics
11. Meet Mellie the Math Dog
12. How to Stop Beating Yourself Up
13. Expert Offers Proven Answers to Afterlife Questions
14. Are You Drowning in Worry? How to Rise Above It All
15. This Summer’s Hottest Cocktail Ingredient: Mezcal!
1. ==> War of Words: The Fight Over Book Bans
The American Library Association (ALA) is kicking off National Library Week by releasing its annual list of the top 10 most challenged books. And what books are being targeted? “LGBTQIA books. Books deemed to be critical race theory, but were actually books on the history of race, racism, slavery in the United States, or representing Black voices, were overwhelmingly being targeted by these demands to remove books,” according to Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of the American Library Association’s Office of Intellectual Freedom. According to the ALA, between 2020 and 2022, the number of individual titles banned spiked more than 1,100%, from 223 to 2,571. And in 2022, ALA tracked the highest number of censorship reports since the association began compiling data about library censorship more than 20 years ago. This year’s National Library Week also marks the one-year anniversary of the launch of Unite Against Book Bans, a nationwide initiative that empowers readers everywhere to stand together in the fight against censorship. Contact Raymond Garcia at cmomedia@ala.org
2. ==> Why Are We Loosening Child Labor Laws?
There’s a quiet movement to roll back certain child labor protections. Just last month in Arkansas, a new law was enacted that eliminates work permits and age verification for workers younger than 16 and in Iowa, lawmakers are currently working on a measure that would allow 14-year-olds to work night shifts and 15-year-olds on assembly lines. “The reason these rather unpopular policies succeed is because they come in under the radar screen,” says David Campbell, a professor of American democracy at the University of Notre Dame. “Typically, these things get passed because they’re introduced in a very quiet way or by groups inching little by little through grass-roots efforts.” Supporters of the child worker proposals say they reduce red tape around the hiring process for minors. Child welfare advocates and some business leaders say the new laws could endanger children on the job and entice others to leave school to join the workforce. David Campbell is an expert on religion, politics and civic engagement and has been featured in the national media, including the “New York Times,” “Washington Post,” “Wall Street Journal,” and NPR. Contact him at (574) 631-5189; dave_campbell@nd.edu
3. ==> The West Needs a New Ukraine Strategy
After just over a year, the war in Ukraine has turned out far better for Ukraine than most predicted. Russia’s effort to subjugate its neighbor has failed and Ukraine remains an independent, sovereign, functioning democracy, but Charles Kupchan says conditions aren’t quite ripe for a negotiated settlement and the West needs a new approach. Kupchan suggests a two-pronged strategy aimed at first bolstering Ukraine’s military capability and then, when the fighting season winds down late this year, ushering Moscow and Kyiv from the battlefield to the negotiating table. “The West has allowed Ukraine to define success and set the war aims of the West. This policy, regardless of whether it made sense at the outset of the war, has now run its course,” he says. He says the United States must now acknowledge that the war is increasingly conflicting with other U.S. priorities. Charles Kupchan is a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and a professor of international affairs at Georgetown University. Contact him at (202) 687-3998 or (202) 509-8402; ckupchan@cfr.org
4.==> ‘Buffalo Soldiers’ – Black Soldiers in American History
Explore the complex history of Black soldiers in the United States military when you interview Dru Holley, the director and producer of the award-winning documentary “Buffalo Soldiers: Fighting on Two Fronts.” The film tells the story of how newly free Black Americans enlisted in the U.S. Army, a reliable path to income and greater respect, and in the process helped to both fulfill America’s Manifest Destiny and disrupted the lives of Indigenous peoples. “The story of the Buffalo Soldiers involves historical complexities like race, class, power, colonialism and Western expansion. It is particularly relevant today as our country is roiling with the agony of racial strife,” says Holley. “As a Black filmmaker, I feel a responsibility to tell our story, to provide an inspiring story about history often left out of school textbooks. We want young kids to know the accounts of people like them that stretch across the nation, to have more knowledge of their past than we did.” “Buffalo Soldiers” will begin airing on Juneteenth, June 12 on PBS. Contact Jesse Thompson at jesse@smarthousecreative.com
5. ==> Interview the Python Huntress
Amy Siewe is a former real estate professional who took a flying leap off a cliff and landed in the Florida swamp to wage battle against the invasive pythons whose insatiable eating habits are driving thousands of mammals to extinction. Invite Amy to tell you how she got over her fears that other people will think she is crazy, describe the ecological problem, and reveal how she is living her best life as The Python Huntress. Amy has been featured on the “Today” show, “Fox and Friends” and CNN and in the “Los Angeles Times.” Ask her: How did a hater let you know you were onto something big? What are three shocking reasons to buy leather products sourced from invasive pythons instead of Asian python farms? Contact Amy Siewe at (317) 605-0081; amysiewe@gmail.com
6. ==> Mike Tyson’s Mother-in-Law on Her Wrongful Conviction and More
Rita Ali was a distinguished Philadelphia socialite and among the few African American women boxing PR professionals who hobnobbed with such famous fighters as Muhammad Ali, Michael Spinks, and Mike Tyson, who is now her son-in-law. Then it all came crashing down in 2004 when she — along with her daughter and son — was indicted on charges of funneling public funds through a partnership between the Sister Clara Muhammad School and the Community College of Philadelphia. The defendants were convicted and imprisoned for profiting off of a ghost employee scam to provide adult education classes, but Ali has maintained her innocence throughout and describes it all as “the federal plot to take down my family and me.” Ali, who served four and half years in federal custody says, “I was convicted and sentenced three times on virtually the same charges for a crime I didn’t commit, which amounted to triple jeopardy.” Rita Ali is the author of “Triple Jeopardy: 3 Strikes But Not Out,” and a life coach and founder of the nonprofit We 2 Matter, which provides resources for previously incarcerated women. Contact Rita Ali at (917) 312-5729; rali@rtirguests.com
7. ==> She Was Diagnosed with Autism at 31
Artist, poet and best-selling author Morgan Harper Nichols is making headlines after sharing her story about her late autism diagnosis at the age of 31. Doctors misdiagnosed her and told her that she was “perfectly normal,” but after seeing a TikTok video describing autism symptoms, Morgan was compelled to advocate for herself and seek help again. She can discuss what it’s like to be diagnosed with autism as an adult, how to advocate for yourself when you feel something is not right and don’t feel heard, and the positive connection between autism and art. An advocate for autism and mental health and wellness with nearly two million followers on Instagram, Morgan uses her art, her platform, and her experiences to connect with her followers. Her story and artwork have been covered on “Good Morning America,” “Today,” “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” and in “Cosmopolitan,” “Forbes,” “Refinery29” and more. Her new book is “You Are Only Just the Beginning.” Contact Jesse Metres at jesse@strategicheights.com or
Simone Smalls at simone@strategicheights.com
8. ==> Why Falling College Applications Are Bad for America
Nationwide, undergraduate college enrollment dropped 8% from 2019 to 2022, according to the National Student Clearinghouse. The slide is the steepest on record, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Bring Alicia J. Moore on your show to explain why if the trend toward fewer college graduates continues the U.S. may lose its edge as the leading global innovator to China — in addition to creating worsening labor shortages and causing the American public to have an even more difficult time determining what is fake news. Moore is the author of “Crushing It in College: Your 7-Step Guide to an Awesome Adventure.” Moore talks to audiences at high schools and colleges across the country about why a college education is even more important today, despite the costs when it comes to future employment prospects and developing self-confidence and critical thinking. Contact Alicia J. Moore at (408) 569-1267; aliciajmoore@comcast.net
9. ==> April Is Financial Literacy Month: The Cost of Aging Parents
Fidelity estimates that it costs a healthy senior couple more than $300,000 just for their health care during retirement. If one of them becomes seriously ill, the costs mushroom and Medicare doesn’t cover everything. April is Financial Literacy Month and Leonie Rosenstiel says it’s a good time to ask yourself a few key questions: Do your parents have that amount in total assets, let alone in a dedicated account? Do you even know? Originally a classical violinist, Rosenstiel earned a master’s degree in public health after her mother, a retired professor with dementia, was put in a conservatorship, with dire results. The founder of Dayspring Resources, Rosenstiel now educates families about the real cost of taking care of aging parents and how to withstand what can be a difficult journey. She’ll offer a realistic look at where the money goes and the various reasons why even adult children who believe they are in line for an inheritance may be in for a shock. Contact Leonie Rosenstiel at (505) 317-2405; leonie@DayspringResources.com
10. ==> Do a Show on the Craziest Courtroom Antics
Have you ever seen a chicken playing tic-tac-toe in court as evidence in a case? Experienced attorney J.D. Mortmain has! Movies and television portray the courtroom as a dramatic place full of nail-biting tension, but in real life, that’s not always the case. In fact, there’s often more humor than horror happening behind closed doors — such as the psychologist who failed his own test trying to prove a defendant was disabled. J.D. shares stories of the lighter side of the law with your audience. He has helped thousands of clients, many with unusual experiences like fighting for custody of a roulette wheel and the couple who divorced and remarried every year to profit from tax breaks. An author and experienced media guest, J.D.’s latest book is “The Fuzzy Pink Bathrobe and Other Tales of the Law.” Contact J.D. Mortmain at (860) 969-2693; jmortmain@rtirguests.com
11. ==> Meet Mellie the Math Dog
Did you know that 80% of children (and most likely many adults) say they hate math? So a six-year-old Labrador retriever named Mellie who is inspiring kids to believe they can do math is a wet-nosed secret weapon. After all, Mellie — short for Melliana — is better at math than most human beings and has proven so by successfully doing addition, subtraction, multiplication and square roots for audiences as well as showing off her ability to play blackjack, read and spell. The Magnificent Math Dog belongs to Mark Bello of Fort Meyers, Fla., and he can talk about how he discovered her math abilities, what he has done to nurture them and ways Mellie is inspiring children to greater mathematical success. Ask him: What do experts say about Mellie’s abilities? Does Mellie enjoy math? Mellie and Mark have been featured on Fox News, NBC, CBS and in print. Contact Mark Bello at (239) 313-1037; mmbello@comcast.net
12. ==> How to Stop Beating Yourself Up
“I’m not good enough … I always mess up … I’m a failure.” Many people get trapped in the never-ending cycle of low self-esteem and negative self-talk, often without even realizing it. But psychologist/author Dr. Adriana Popescu says it’s possible to stop the inner critic and start feeling good about yourself. “Over the last 25 years, I’ve worked with thousands of people, empowering them to overcome their imagined limitations, release their self-judgments and discover the brilliance within − creating a life of infinite possibilities,” she says. Adriana is a licensed clinical psychologist, addiction and trauma specialist, speaker, thought leader and empowerment coach, and author of “What If You’re Not as F***ed Up As You Think You Are? How We Come to Believe Lies About Ourselves and What We Can Do to Change Them.” Contact her at (415) 707-5054; Apopescu@rtirguests.com
13. ==> Expert Offers Proven Answers to Afterlife Questions
Got a question about the afterlife or afterlife communication? R. Craig Hogan, Ph.D., has the answer and the research to back it up. Want to know how to communicate with deceased loved ones without using a medium? Wonder if you will hold beloved dead pets again? Or what the afterlife will be like and whether death will be scary? He knows and soon you will too. Hogan is an acknowledged expert on afterlife and afterlife communication, the president of the Afterlife Research and Education Institute, the co-founder of Seek Reality, and the author of eight afterlife-themed books including “Evidence Beyond a Reasonable Doubt That You Will Never Die.” Contact R. Craig Hogan, Ph.D., at (309) 808-2651; craig@seekreality.com
14. ==> Are You Drowning in Worry? How to Rise Above It All
Many people struggle with worry and stress on a day-to-day basis. What if you could let go of the burden of worry and enjoy peace every day, regardless of what’s happening in your life? Certified life coach and author Valerie Galloway can help your audience stop worrying and start living. Whether you’re struggling with grief, a major life change, addiction or dependency, or concerned that your future prospects seem less than bright, Valerie will empower you to tap into your own internal resources and trade worry for wonder and joy. Learn how to accomplish personal goals, improve relationships, and move forward with confidence by unlocking your potential when you interview this powerful and inspiring guest. A certified ICF coach with a bachelor’s in community health and a master’s in social science, Valerie is the author of “Steal, Kill & Destroy: A Spiritual Guide to Overcoming Addiction and Loss.” Contact Valerie Galloway at (917) 994-8841; vgalloway@rtirguests.com
15. ==> This Summer’s Hottest Cocktail Ingredient: Mezcal!
As we head toward the summer sipping season, you may have noticed bars and restaurants adding mezcal-based cocktails to their menus. That’s because it’s the fastest-growing liquor category in the U.S., with Americans now spending more on mezcal and tequila than they do on whiskeys. But what is mezcal? Invite liquor industry veteran Joey Angelo to provide a beginner’s guide to mezcal, discuss its relationship to tequila, and why the liquor has become so popular. Joey can share some of the innovative new mezcal cocktails coming from the nation’s hottest bars and nightclubs, and even provide a simple recipe or two to impress your friends! Joey Angelo is the founder of VIVA XXXII Tequila, MARGS canned margaritas, and Su Casa Mezcal. He has appeared on TV’s “Elevator Pitch” and NYC’s Z-100 FM. Contact John Angelo at john@premieretv.com
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